Best Beverage Dispenser 2023: 5+ Detailed Reviews

Top 5 Best Beverage Dispensers 2023:

1. Buddeez Unbreakable 3.5-Gallon Beverage Dispenser
2. CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser
3. Elegant Hammered Glass 2.25-Gallon Beverage Dispenser with Scroll Iron Stand
4. Anchor Hocking 2-Gallon Heritage Hill Glass Beverage Dispenser
5. Circleware 66944 1-Gallon Sun Tea Mini Mason Jar Glass Beverage Dispenser

Spring has arrived, and summer is just around the corner.

But what does that have to do with beverage dispensers?

Well, it is well known that most social and formal events, weddings, or simple family gatherings are organized with the first rays of the sun. Since the beverage dispensers are a staple of events and any larger gatherings, we decided to explore the market and see what it has to offer.

We can say that we were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful these dispensers can be, and we were tempted to buy them all (this happened more than once). To prevent your anguish, we wrote this buying guide to help you pick out the best beverage dispenser for any occasion.

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5 Best Beverage Dispensers In 2023: Detailed Reviews

1. Buddeez Unbreakable 3.5-Gallon Beverage Dispenser – Hassle-free Choice

The Buddeez Unbreakable beverage dispenser is a must-have if you plan on hosting a large gathering. It can hold up to 3.5 gallons of any beverage, making this dispenser one of the biggest on the market at the moment.

The dispenser is made from stain-resistant BPA-free plastic, so we guarantee you it is safe to use. Since it is made from plastic, it can be washed in a dishwasher. You may want to be more careful when using this product, considering the plastic is used for crafting. For more convenient and leak-proof dispensing, this model is equipped with a stainless steel faucet. The base of the dispenser is padded with rubber to prevent slipping.  

It also has a removable cone inside that can be filled with ice to keep your drinks chilled no matter how hot it is outside. This is very convenient since you do not have to put ice in the beverage, so it doesn’t thin down as the ice melts. When you notice that ice began melting, simply remove the cone and refill it with fresh ice.

If the primary purpose of this dispenser is to let you serve mixed drinks, you will love the graduated measuring marks that are imprinted on the surface of the dispenser.

2. Anchor Hocking 2-Gallon Heritage Hill Glass Beverage Dispenser – Simple And Elegant Look

This beautiful Anchor Hocking dispenser can hold up to 2 gallons of any beverage. This holding capacity is perfect for medium family gatherings, but unfortunately, it is not convenient for large parties.

The dispenser is entirely made from thick glass that does not only look great, but it is also durable, as long as you don’t drop it, of course. You can rest assured that it is safe to use and to clean even after many uses; the glass will not be stained. This makes the dispenser suitable for drinks that are deeply colored and fragrant since it does not retain odors or stains. The dispenser should be hand washed only.

The lid is also made of glass while the faucet is leak-proof and made from plastic, which is good and bad at the same time. The bad thing is that it can break at any moment and it must be removed before washing, and the good thing is that it can be easily replaced.

The dispenser can be refrigerated when not in use. The large wide-mouth opening makes it easy to pour liquid, additives(lemon, cucumber, berries, and more) as well as ice, but since this dispenser does not have a separate ice cone, the beverage will be thinned down sooner than later.

3. Circleware 66944 1-Gallon Sun Tea Mini Mason Jar Glass Beverage Dispenser – User-friendly Design

This model is the smallest one on today’s list. It can hold 1 gallon of liquid, and that capacity makes it suitable for small venues and for personal use at home.

The dispenser is made from thick, durable glass that won’t retain any smells or stains. The glass is semi-good in retaining temperature, but if you prefer cold drinks then we advise you to keep this dispenser in a fridge. It does not come with an ice cone, so the only way is to put ice directly into a dispenser, but be aware this will thin out your drink.

The lid is made from metal, so make sure you thoroughly dry it every time you wash it since it is prone to rust. The leak-proof faucet is removable and made from plastic. Before washing the jar, you must remove the faucet. 

The dispenser does not come with any stand but will stand stable on any surface thanks to the broad base.  To be able to put a glass under the spigot, you must place a dispenser on the edge of the table or countertop.

It is highly recommended to hand wash the dispenser, but if you must, you can put a glass jar in the dishwasher. The opening mouth is not as wide as we would like, so you may encounter some difficulties when trying to reach corners to wash them properly.

4. Elegant Hammered Glass 2.25-Gallon Beverage Dispenser with Scroll Iron Stand – Perfect Wedding Centerpiece

This pricey and elegantly designed glass beverage dispenser has a holding capacity of 2.25 gallons, which is a good option for medium to large gatherings. Also, thanks to its stylish design, it can be a perfect addition to your wedding venue. But no worries, the design won’t compromise your safety.

The dispenser is crafted from hammered glass, as well as the lid. The glass is still fragile, so make sure you don’t bump it, or it will break for sure. The problem with the lid is that there is no gasket, so it is not leak-proof. The dispenser comes with two removable stainless steel leak-proof faucets that can be washed in a dishwasher.

But what makes us fall in love with this dispenser is a stunningly looking vintage stand crafted from wrought iron. It elevates the dispenser just enough for you to put a glass comfortably under the spigot and it guarantees you stability.

The dispenser and a lid can be washed by hand only, and that can be a tricky thing sometimes since it features a squared shape, so some residue can hide in the nooks that are hard to reach considering not so wide mouth opening. There is no ice cone included with this model, but we don’t consider that as a flaw since many models don’t have it.

5. CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser – Budget Friendly Product

The last dispenser on our list comes from CreativeWare, and it can hold and serve up to 2.5 gallons. It will come in handy if you want to host a large party and you will love how affordable it is.

The dispenser and lid are made from acrylic, so the dispenser is lightweight and easy to set up, but unfortunately, it is very fragile, and even the slightest bump will shatter it into pieces. Also, never put it in the dishwasher since it is strictly recommended to wash it by hand.

The faucet is made from plastic, and it is leak-proof, but it can’t be replaced if it breaks. The good thing is that the faucet is placed high on the dispenser so you will not have a hard time placing the tall glass under it.

You can use this dispenser with a lid on or lid off, so if you are planning to serve drinks that have a larger quantity of chopped fruit in it like sangria, we recommend you avoid dispensing it through the faucet since it can be easily clogged. If that happens, you will need to buy a new dispenser considering the fact that the faucet is not replaceable.

The base is removable, and it can serve as ice storage. This is very convenient since you can have an ice-cold drink all the time no matter the temperature outside. Also, the base and dispenser are locked, which guarantees stability.

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Things To Keep In Mind Before Purchasing The Beverage Dispenser

When choosing the best beverage dispenser for your events, you must keep a few crucial aspects in your mind during this process, or you risk wasting money on buying a product that will be of no use to you.

1. Size And Capacity

Before you even start looking for the beverage dispenser, first think of the place or event where it is going to be used. That means you must know how many people you need to serve to be able to decide which capacity will be suitable for you. You must know that you will have approximately 16 glasses of drink per 1 gallon (this does not count if you use it for serving wine).

For general at-home use, the beverage dispenser with a 1-gallon capacity is the best option. For smaller family gatherings, a dispenser with a 1.75-gallon capacity is more than enough. However, for a large event like weddings, birthday parties, Christmas parties, baby showers, bridal parties, you need a large capacity beverage dispenser of at least 2.5 gallons, but preferably 3.5 gallons.

In the end, the beverage dispenser is not something that many of us regularly use, so make sure you buy the one you can comfortably place somewhere in your home.

2. Material 

This is a crucial factor to consider when buying a beverage dispenser. The material determines the durability, overall look of the dispenser, and it will make a major difference in terms of taste and convenience.

• Glass – Usually, dispensers made of glass are stylish and suitable to be used as a centerpiece at some formal gatherings than for regular home use. They allow you to see through it so you can easily determine which drinks are served from the color of a drink. Also, they are a great option since they don’t retain smells or stains. The glass dispensers are always an expensive option, and they are quite heavy and fragile, so not suitable for frequent transport. Also, it is not convenient to use them for serving hot drinks.
• Plastic – Beverage dispensers made of BPA- free plastic (always) do not give you a clear view of its content, so you may end up with a drink that does not suit your taste the best. However, they are a great option for home use since they are cheap and highly durable and can be ported whenever you need them. Also, they can withstand sudden temperature changes so you can use them for dispensing hot drinks like grog, for example. One more flaw is that plastic is prone to retain the smell, taste, and color of the drink that was previously served in the dispenser.

3. Faucet

The faucet also plays an important role. The best beverage dispenser should come with a leak-proof spigot to avoid beverage wastage and creating messes on the table or countertop. 

We recommend you find the model that comes with a removable spigot, so in case it breaks, you can simply buy a new one. When we talk about the material, avoid metal faucets in any case since they will rust in no time.  

Of course, we prefer the stainless steel spigot over the plastic one since they are more durable, easier to clean, rust-free, as well as safe. Plastic spigots are prone to trap the flavors and odors so your drink will taste funky.

4. Design And Features

The design should always match the décor of your event. There is no way that a cheap plastic dispenser for home use can do magic on a formal gathering like a wedding, for example. So if you want to buy a beverage dispenser that can be used in almost any event, we recommend you to look for the one made from glass with a simple design.

When we say features, we think about stands, ice cones, and infusers. The stand comes very handily since it elevates the dispenser from the surface, so this way, you prevent spigot from coming in contact with a dirty surface. Also, you will be able to place the glass under the spigot comfortably.

It is very important to keep your drink cool. Purchasing a dispenser that comes with an ice cone or a base that can serve as storage for ice should be your priority. The fruit infusers are not so important, but they can help you enhance the taste and the look of your beverage.

5. Ease Of Cleaning

They should be easy to clean. You need to pay attention to this factor. If they are hard to clean and you do it improperly, then the flavor of your beverage will be at risk for sure. Get yourself a dispenser that can be washed in a dishwasher, or in case it must be washed manually, it has no complicated cleaning process, and it features removable parts.

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Conclusion

A good beverage dispenser will make your event memorable, more fun, and convenient. With so many available options, we know it is hard to pick the right one. But by choosing one of our top five picks, you can rest assured that your event will have plenty of drinks to satisfy everyone’s needs. 

Best Overall Value: Buddeez Unbreakable 3.5-Gallon Beverage Dispenser

• The Buddeez Unbreakable is a product made in the United States. It is crafted from shatter-resistant, BPA-free plastic that is conveniently safe for the dishwasher. The dispenser comes with graduating measurement markings and includes a removable ice cone that cools the liquid effectively without diluting your beverage.

Best Budget Option: CreativeWare 2.5-Gallon Bark Beverage Dispenser

• Since it offers incredible value for the money, this list couldn’t pass by without this amazing beverage dispenser. It holds an impressive 2.5 gallons of liquid, which will be enough for any medium-sized social gathering where you don’t need to think about constant refilling. The quality of acrylic might be questionable, but considering the price, it is still one of the best options out there.

Premium Pick: Elegant Hammered Glass 2.25-Gallon Beverage Dispenser with Scroll Iron Stand

• Dress up any event with this elegantly designed beverage dispenser. It sits gracefully on a vintage wrought-iron stand and is well suited for weddings and other formal affairs. Its attractive hammered glass and stylish square shape are sure to impress even the guests with the most demanding taste.